Winners whose clubs reach the League Championship Series or Fall Classic will receive tickets to root for the home team on a late-October night. As for the top fans whose teams fall short of the sport's semifinals? Have no fear, as there's always next year (and free tickets to an April 2017 game of their choice).

Major League Baseball and the 30 clubs worked tirelessly to identify the sport's top supporters. But after great debate, the following Pirates fans were chosen among a long list of deserving candidates.

George Coury: Though he drives two hours to each game, 81-year-old season-ticket holder George Coury has missed only 22 home contests in 40 years.

Chris Miller: Chris Miller started the "Renegades of the Rotunda," a group of spirited Pirates fans who don full pirate regalia for each home game.

Gunner Reese: Five-year-old Gunner Reese lacks a lengthy tenure as a fan, but his passion for the Pirates is nonetheless fierce.

Nicholas Golnoski: Three-year-old Nicholas Golnoski captured the hearts of many with his passionate reactions during a seesaw, 18-inning Pirates win.

The MLB Fans of the Year presented by Esurance program represents the "first inning" of the Esurance MLB Awards, which honor greatness in Major League Baseball and serve as the grand finale of the game's awards season. Esurance MLB Awards voting will run from 4 p.m. on Sept. 19 to 2 p.m. on Nov. 11 and include nominees in 19 categories -- from Best Major Leaguer to Best Social Media Post to Best MLB Interview.

Media, front-office personnel, retired MLB players, the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) and fans will determine the most #AwardWorthy players and moments from 2016. The MLB Awards winners will be announced Friday, Nov. 18, live on MLB.com and MLB Network.